Teens arrested for attempted murder

Saturday night shooting is gang related, police say

By: Staff Report - Updated: 11 months ago

KING CITY — Three juvenile males have been arrested for a series of crimes that began Friday with a carjacking in Watsonville and ended Saturday night with a police chase in King City following a shooting that critically injured an 18-year-old man.

According to the King City Police Department, a sergeant was patrolling the 1200 block of San Antonio Drive at about 11:15 p.m. on June 10 when a blue Nissan Altima approached at a high rate of speed before turning onto Broadway Street. The officer pursued the vehicle, which pulled into the Comfort Court Trailer Park at 935 Broadway St. One of the passengers then fled the vehicle.

Police said the driver continued to enter the trailer park and drove to the back of the property, where officers were able to box the vehicle in.

Two Hispanic male juveniles — 14 and 15 years old — were taken into custody, one of whom was armed with a loaded semi-automatic pistol. Another Hispanic male juvenile, matching the description of the subject who fled from the vehicle earlier, was located in the trailer park nearby and was also arrested.

Police determined that the vehicle involved in the pursuit was stolen during a carjacking in Watsonville the day before.

During this time, officers also responded to a report of a shooting in the 100 block of Sussex Way in King City. According to police, an 18-year-old Hispanic male had been shot in front of his residence. The victim, whose name was not released, was taken to Mee Memorial Hospital by a family member and then flown to a trauma center, where he is listed in critical condition.

Detectives have determined with probable cause that the juveniles were also involved in the shooting, and that they were fleeing the scene of the crime when the police pursuit ensued.

The juveniles are facing charges of attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of a concealed loaded firearm in a vehicle, evading arrest, conspiracy, possession of stolen property and gang enhancements.

Police said the investigation is ongoing. Investigators from the King City and Watsonville police departments are working together to determine the series of events and crimes.